The Editor, Sir:

I wish to reflect on the hotly debated anti-crime bill as reported in The Gleaner on September 28.

Strong resistance to the Government's six anti-crime bills was characterised by several presentations from human-rights groups and attorneys-at-law, during two sittings of the joint select committee of Parliament, examining the proposed measures.

Increased powers

The Jamaican legislators were cautioned not to support the controversial bills, which some human-rights groups argued would have far-reaching negative implications for the fundamental rights and freedoms of Jamaicans, as set out in the constitution.

If passed by Parliament, this bill would give the police increased powers to detain a person charged with a serious offence for 60 days.

I am in full agreement with Patrick Atkinson, attorney-at-law, who argued that increased persons in custody would be a financial burden on the country.

To quote, "It would be a logistical challenge to find jail space." What I do not support, however, is his suggestion that the legislature abandon the current proposed legislative scheme to curb crime.

Electronic monitoring

In an attempt to seek some medium to long-term more acceptable solution, electronic tracking of such persons may be considered as an alternative to physical incarceration.

The following example of such a practice can be cited. During May 2005, Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed a bill slapping child molesters with a minimum prison sentence of 25 years.

This was followed by probation or community control for the remainder of the person's natural life.

During such probation, the offender must be electronically monitored. The suspect or convict would wear a satellite-linked ankle bracelet that tells the police where he or she is every minute of the day.

Passive tracking

The movement of such persons can be taped and replayed or can be observed on a real-time basis. Selected prisoners now wear a transmitter about the size of a cigarette pack on the ankle.

These persons are on what is known as 'passive monitoring', which tracks their movements daily and sends a report to a control or monitoring computerised location. Failure to follow set rules could send them to jail or result in some form of penalty or corrective measure.

It's a move that was designed to ease overcrowding in jails while allowing these persons to remain productive citizens.

Less costly

These Global Positioning System (GPS) monitors are the latest technology in some crime-fighting jurisdictions.

Approximately one half of the United States are reportedly using them.

Lawmakers also promote GPS as a high-tech method to get tough on perverts who can't be kept in jail.

Investigations reveal that in some jurisdictions, GPS tracking costs approxi-mately US$8 to US$12 per person per day, according to figures quoted to US county and state governments.

This should be less than the cost of incarceration in Jamaica, although I do not currently have the details of such a figure.

Means of managing

The Jamaican Police High Command should be urged to investigate this GPS tracking as a more socially acceptable and cost-effective means of managing the great challenges posed by our lawless and criminal elements.

This would, hopefully, result in the objective of putting a serious dent on our high crime wave without violating one's fundamental rights and freedom as set out in the Jamaican Constitution.

I am, etc.,

LANCELOT H. WHITE

lancel44@yahoo.com